3 Things to Consider on World Food Day

Today is World Food Day, a United Nations designated day to remember 821 million people in the world who do not have enough food to eat. For those of us who live in a context of plenty, let's  pause and consider three things:

1. Where does my food come from?

• Who grew/raised the food I eat? (Grains, fruit, vegetables, meat, etc.) 
• Was it mass produced? Was it sustainably grown to ensure a healthy environment? 
• Who produced the prepared food I eat? (Bread, cookies, pasta, ketchup, etc.)
• How and from where is the food transported to where I buy it? 

Reflecting on these things can serve to make us more grateful for the food we eat and for the farmers and food producers that make it available for us.

2. What are my consumption habits?

- Do I plan my meals before I shop?
- Do I purchase only the quanitities I need?
- Do I mostly eat prepared/packaged foods?
- Do I seek to purchase food grown/raised locally?
- Do I intentionally eat seasonal available foods?
- How much food packaging do I throw away?
- How much food do I throw away?
- Do I practice hospitality and eat meals with friends or neighbours?

Reflecting on these questions can motivate us to become more conscientious about our eating and purchasing habits. 

3. Who are the 821 million and why are they hungry?

• People who live in chronic poverty and don't have the resources to purchase or grow food.
• People who live in isolated communities and don't have access to food, or can't afford the exhorbitant prices if food is available.  
• Smallholder farmers who historically have grown their own food who are now experiencing changing climates that has brought drought or soil degradation. 
• People who are displaced by war, conflict, or natural disaster, including the increasing extreme weather systems. 
• Gender inequality - men and boys prioritized for household food consumption.
• Economic crises - people who live in countries with extreme inflation and food has become unaffordable.

Reflecting on these realities may prompt us to learn more about people who live with these realities both here in Canada and around the world and also inspire us take action to pray for them, to support organizations providing food, nutrition, or agriculture programming. We may even find ourselves wanting to advocate for causes of food justice and food sovereignty.  

#WorldFoodDay; #FaithAndHopeInAction; #EndWorldHunger

The Ministries of Alliance Justice and Compassion - Podcast

In an interview with Greg McCombs of First Alliance Church, Calgary, Joanne Beach, Director of Alliance Justice and Compassion discusses the ministry of Alliance Justice and Compassion. (Recorded November, 17, 2018) 

Refugee Families Embraced by Compassionate Communities

Since becoming a National Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH) in 2012, as of December 2018, the C&MA in Canada, on behalf of 104 local churches, had submitted applications to resettle 776 individuals. This includes churches in our partner denominations who the C&MA is also serving.* 

Since becoming a local SAH in 2010, First Alliance Church in Calgary have assisted 31 Alberta churches (16 Alliance) with applications to settle 526 individuals. Combined, 1,302 individuals have found refuge in Canada through the ministry of 135 local churches in this eight-year chapter of our story.

We celebrate the fact that some churches have formed groups of churches/agencies to work together, like Cobourg/Port Hope Better Together in order to sponsor multiple families.  

Better Together - Refugee Sponsorship

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*Denominational partners are the Evangelical Missionary Church, Fellowship Baptist, and Associated Gospel Church.